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How can I use Skype on my Sony PSP?

I've read all your other Sony PSP articles fanatically, but I haven't found anything you've written about how to access the Skype service from the PSP. Can you show me how to connect with my Skype friends through my Sony PSP, please?


Dave's Answer:

Yeah, I've written quite a bit about the Sony Playstation Portable device (which you can find by clicking on: PSP help), including how to listen to Internet radio on the PSP and, of course, how to access the Internet on your Sony PSP too.

The Skype service is a bit different because you need special hardware to access it, namely a headphone + microphone combination. It's not too expensive ($26.99 at Amazon.com) but you can't do much without it.

However, I don't have one so I'll show you all the steps required to get hooked up with Skype other than, well, actually using it. Okay? :-)

As usual, your first step is to ensure that you have your PSP connected to the Internet.

Once you've done that, press the "Home" button to get to the main menu system, then use the right arrow to move all the way to the Internet related options, then the up/down arrows to find the "Skype" setting. Choose it by pressing "X" and you'll see:

skype sony psp 1

I already have an account so I can choose "Sign In". if you don't, I highly highly recommend you set up an account on a real computer, not the PSP, since it'll go so much faster in terms of data entry. You can set up a new Skype account on the site easily enough.

Choose "Sign In" once you're ready by highlighting the "Sign In" option and pressing the "X" button. Now you'll see:

skype sony psp 2

To enter your username, highlight the proper field and press "X". You'll be taken to the data input screen:

skype sony psp 3

You can see I have laboriously entered my account name information already. When I'm done, I simply use the arrow keys to move to the "Enter" button and then press "X" to select it.

I'm back at the previous screen, but this time it shows my account name and lets me move to the password field. I select that with "X" and enter my account password in an identical process, select "Enter" again, and now I'm here:

skype sony psp 4

Highlight "Sign in" here and press the "X" button again:

skype sony psp 5

If you've entered valid credentials, you'll see this:

skype sony psp 6

Uh oh. No, hopefully, unlike me, you actually have the necessary hardware to use Skype so you don't actually see that error message. Fortunately you can go past this just to see how things work, and that's what I'll do by pressing, you guessed it, "X" again:

skype sony psp 7

Sweet! I'm logged in to my Skype account and it shows me buttons that let me view my profile, my contacts, history, the dial pad for dialing phone numbers, and so on.

I choose my Contacts list by highlighting it and pressing "X" and now I can see everyone that I'm connected with on Skype:

skype sony psp 8

If I wanted to actually talk with Charlene, I'd press the "up triangle" button (immediately above the "X" button) to see my options:

skype sony psp 9

I think you can figure things out from this point, yes? :-)

I hope that'll get you started working with Skype on your Sony PSP device. Very nice service, and it's a slick additional capability for what is one of the very best portable gaming units on the market right now. Looking for more help? I've got ya covered too: More PSP help.


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Categorized: iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help   (Article 8688, Written by )
Tagged: memory devices, playstation portable, psp skype, skype, sony psp, video games, voip
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Reader Comments To Date: 10

Adventurous Wench women's travel said, on January 11, 2009 11:39 PM:

Wow very cool! I didn't know I can use Skype through PSP. How about video calls? Will that work too?

jesse robinson said, on January 18, 2009 2:24 PM:

how do i connect my psp to the internet?

erick johnson said, on April 5, 2009 6:35 PM:

will the headphones for skype work for online game playing.

Susan said, on April 28, 2009 12:20 PM:

I have a student who needs help to get to the point where Skype is actually on the PSP. Which software version does he need? He currently has version 5.5 and we do not see the Skype icon under settings. He does already have a Skype account. Any help would be appreciated.

francis said, on May 20, 2009 11:25 PM:

hi good day..I have a sony psp 2000 silver slim..but I am having a problem with a universal serial bus (USB) device.
it says unknown device and there is no No drivers are installed for this device.

how and what wil i do please email me thnaks kittenswit @ yahoo.com

Russ said, on July 22, 2009 6:37 PM:

I AM GETTING A MESSAGE WHEN TRYING TO CONNECT TO SKYPE, CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? IT IS SAYING THAT SKYPE COULD NOT CONNECT AS I MAY BE BEHIND A FIREWALL OR EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET......I AM CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET

J said, on July 24, 2009 7:37 PM:

Skype can only be used on psp 2000 or psp 3000

steve said, on March 19, 2010 8:14 PM:

A Sony Go! Cam can be mounted by plug and screw on the top of the PSP 3000 for video Skype. Not widely available in the U.S. but I believe it's on Amazon.com.

Joel said, on December 31, 2010 4:02 PM:

Dave, the mic still doesn't work even though I have all of the compatible hardware. Is there any help you can give on this matter? When I do my test call and leave my message I cannot hear it.

Thanks for your expertise in advance

Joel said, on December 31, 2010 4:07 PM:

Does upgrading the system for the PSP 2000 affect the ability to tap into and use Skype?

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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